Welsh Liberal Democrats

Shelved hospital projects – Kirsty Williams comment

October 20, 2011 2:28 PM

Kirsty Williams, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, today demanded that the Health Minister issued a full statement to Assembly Members on the future of NHS building projects after her admission that some building developments announced earlier in the year would be delayed.

The Minister made the admission during a scrutiny session in front of the Health and Social Services Committee.

Kirsty said, "I was outraged to hear the Minister admit that projects announced just in time for a crucial election may now be cancelled. It seems that the Labour party has been promising new hospital buildings across Wales that they never had any intention of delivering.

"The Minister has since said that projects which have been 'approved' will continue, but they need to be clear on what this means. We don't know if contracts which have not been formally signed will now be shelved.

"For example, the First Minister welcomed proposed investment in a critical care centre in Torfaen during First Minister's Questions this week. Plans are still being developed and now, we cannot be sure that investment will take place."

Projects that have been announced since January include; investment in Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, improvements to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and improvements to Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Kirsty added, "I have already tabled a formal question demanding the Minister to provide detail on which projects will now be shelved - I am calling on her to come clean today, so that people across Wales will know what the impact will be on their services."